at one point telling the committee that he needs to learn more about the pentagon. saying, quote, if confirmed i intend to know a lot more than i do. jonathan carl, abc news, the white house. >> not a great performance, as you heard. even from people who will vote for him or like him or fellow democrats, you know, who may vote for him. little more critical about the nation's military. does a person not have a right to go into a slaughterhouse and change their opinion on red meat? >> of course. >> republicans say this guy is further left than president obama. republicans are skittish about his nomination. >> people are saying though his performance, well he was really under fire. so i think anyone in that hot seat may not do his or her best they're saying he likely will be confirmed i suspect. >> it is going to be a bumpy ride. >>> in related news, secretary of state hillary clinton leaving office officially today after sounding a warning about civil war in syria. at a sort of exit interview, clinton accused iran of playing an increasingly prominent role directing vi